Pregnancy is something that happens to husbands, as much as women. From the moment I discovered I was pregnant, I watched as my husband became almost an entirely different person. I’d read about how some dads-to-be share in their partner’s pregnancy symptoms, experiencing even morning sickness and backaches – yet what I was carefully observing was something else: My husband was actually enjoying my pregnancy immensely.
Admittedly – and according to others – I was one of the “lucky ones”; fortunate enough to have had an easy pregnancy (for the most part). And while there are certainly things I miss about being pregnant – like glowing skin and brilliant hair days – it’s my husband who reminisces most about the nine months “we” were pregnant. I hope this list (written from his point of view) will give other future dads something to look forward to, or at least see the bright side of an often trying period of time.
Binge-eating Bad Food & Crazy Cravings
My wife is normally a health nut who fills our fridge with lots of fruit and vegetables and actually likes eating a salad for lunch. During pregnancy however, it was a completely different story. Her doctor gave her the green light to go ahead and eat anything she could keep down (in the first trimester) and thankfully for me, that meant anything that was spicy, oily or deep-fried. Junk food, local street food and supper became things she actually wanted for the first time ever, and I was more than happy to meet all her (new) foodie needs. More than just craving things you don’t normally like to eat, I think it’s the joy of growing a human being inside of you that makes eating come with zero guilt.
Now that the baby is out, she’s gone back to the way she was, only worse with some gluten-free-vegan-paleo nonsense added to the mix. I can safely say there’s nothing I miss more than asking her what she wants to eat, and hearing, “Pan Mee/Char Kuay Teow/Asam Laksa/McDonalds…”
The V.I.P. Treatment
Having a pregnant wife is something I took advantage of every chance I could, whether it was to get a table at a packed restaurant or to justify driving in the emergency lane during rush hour (just fake contractions). Saying, “My wife is pregnant,” works like magic when you need better service, or a good excuse to get out of something you don’t want to do or go to.
Sadly, the days of getting special treatment everywhere, are long gone and we’re now stuck waiting in line along with all the other parents with kids. It was certainly fun while it lasted.
The Snooze Button & The Pregnancy Pillow
Pregnant women sleep a lot (sometimes up to 12 hours a day!), which is great news for husbands who love to sleep in. I witnessed my usually “up and at ‘em” wife struggle to get up in the morning and sneak in afternoon naps every chance she could. Of course, I was there to keep her company, and free to snooze as much as I wanted without the usual nagging to get out of bed.
Another thing sleep-related thing I miss is the Red Castle Big Flopsy Pillow she purchased for her back. This thing is full of little beans that provide great support for your body, whichever way you want to wrap your arms around it. I stole this right out from under her sleeping body (pregnant women really knock out cold), and it gave me some of the best sleep I’ve ever had in my life… I’m still fighting to keep Flopsy in our bed.
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Michelle Lim-Chua is a banana born in New York City, who fell in love with a boy from Melaka and became a mama of one.
